Category Archives: Bible Study

It’s sad to know that some Christians today live defeated lives because they don’t realize the power they have to be victorious – to enjoy a life of victory. Paul prayed for the believers/church in Ephesians 3:14-19. He prayed that they may be strengthened with power through His Spirit – The Holy Spirit. He prayed for power which comes from the Holy Spirit. We can see that power being mentioned in the verses below:

“You are witnesses . . . but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48.

“And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

This power is essential for the challenges of an ever-expanding witness of Christ and our everyday battles in life. It is the power to serve with such love and passion. The power to serve despite physical weariness. The power to move forward despite opposition. The power to overcome sin. As God’s children we have that power. We just need to yield to the right power. The Power is there, you just need to plug-in to the source.

Three ways to plug-in the power of the Holy Spirit

(1) Immerse yourself in the Word of God and believe in his truths

Wh>n we look into 1 John 2:14, we would see the definition of Strong Men – the word of God abides in them. That’s why we are always to read his word and contemplate on it, to be strong in our faith. But it’s not enough that we know the truths in His word, we also need to apply the truths in our lives. Allow God’s word to manifest into our actions. For example, we can smile and be joyful despite suffering because in James 1:2-4 it says “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” When we are going through a tough time and we contemplate heavily on this verse, it gives us that joy that no matter what you are going through, God is doing something greater in your life. With the trials, hurts and problems you have, God is developing your character. Again, you can know this verse but to actually apply it is a different thing. You can apply this verse by using it to develop a different perspective in your trials. Then, the Holy Spirit will empower you to have that joy despite your suffering.

(2) Pray for the Power of the Holy Spirit

The disciples in Acts 1:13 prayed for ten days before the Pentecost happened, after which, gave them the power to do the work entrusted to them. In Ephesians 3:14-19 Paul prayed for the power to be with the church. The Holy Spirit is already in you but you just need to pray that you follow the spirit and allow him to work in and through you

(3) Obey the leading immediately

Obeying God’s leading in your life helps you die to yourself regularly. Clare de Graaf said “Christian character is shaped less by dramatic decisions than by the cumulative thousands small acts of simple obedience.” It is through these small leadings that we manage to get out of our comfort zones and depend only on the Lord. Because to obey his leading immediately is to be filled with the fullness of God empowered by love. John MacArthur defined it as this:

To be so strong spiritually, so compelled by divine love, that one is totally dominated by the Lord with nothing left of self - John MacArthur

That is power -when we are compelled by divine love! Obeying and doing the leading removes your right and replaces it with only the love for God. Because to fully understand God is impossible. The fullness that is being talked about in Ephesians 3:19 is being full of love for the Lord in total surrender and total submission to Him. It’s understanding that there is no more you but only Christ. And when Christ is manifested fully in your life, the power of the Holy Spirit works in you, in everything you do and say because you are yielded to Him – you are in step with Him.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – Matthew 5:5

I love to eat. When I crave for something and I don’t know what exactly it is, I search for it intently. I’m willing to go miles and miles until I find what I want. Sometimes just to realize, what I wanted was nothing more than a plain meal with extra rice.

That is what hunger and thirst can do to you. It can drive you to search for that one thing, hoping it will satisfy your longing. It motivates you to go beyond your norm because the need is so great that you just need it to be filled. Sad to say though, what we usually hunger and thirst for just leaves us still empty and longing. We hunger for power, fame, and money. And then when we reach that point where we already have those things, we want more and we never get satisfied. Or we reach that point where we already have a lot but still feel empty inside. For some, the hunger is for a relationship. They want to be loved and feel appreciated, never realizing that people are not perfect. That at any point, they may disappoint us or fail us. What you hunger for, thirst for and desire will dictate whether you will live a life of being contented (being satisfied) or a life of being unfilled and tired.

Matthew 5:5 tells us, blessed are those who hunger for righteousness. Now when we talk about the hunger and thirst for righteousness, this is not a one-time thing. The hunger and thirst for righteousness should be a daily thing. It is a continuous desire that lives inside your heart – a continuous desire for righteousness. But what is this righteousness that is being talked about here? What is this righteousness that we are to daily desire? The righteousness that is being talked about is God’s righteousness and not righteousness that we can establish on our own like what the Pharisees did. It is a desire and hunger to exemplify the righteousness of God in our lives. This includes the characteristics mentioned in the beatitudes. Righteousness shows mercy to other people. Righteousness always wants to make peace. Righteousness is being pure in heart and motives. This righteousness that we long for should be because we want to please God. We want to live a life that is worthy of what was paid for us. It is not doing righteous acts because we want to be seen as religious, but rather desiring to be righteous in order to be like Him – to want to act Christ-like.

When we hunger for the right kind of righteousness there is a promise. The promise of satisfaction. The promise of being filled. I like what John McArthur said in this bible commentary:

God’s righteousness will fill those who seek it and will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God.

God will fill those who desire his righteousness. He will continuously work with people who understands their sinfulness and yet, still wants to live a life that pleases Him. If we abide in him and constantly have that desire in our hearts, he will helps us live a life of victory. John Piper said in his sermon regarding blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:

Satisfaction comes from God to those whose passion in life is to know him in the struggle to be like him in the world

May the Lord Jesus Christ fill you with satisfaction. Don’t look for other things to fill our life. Let it be Jesus and just rest in Him. And when we come to know who he is and how much he loves us – let us desire His righteousness. Let’s pray that He continues to fill us up and work in and through us.

Be blessed with the words of God. If you have anything to share, feel free to drop a comment. I would love to hear from you! God bless you.

Continuing my series on the beatitudes, I ponder upon the verse above. I like what John MacArthur wrote about what being meek is all about.

Meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is not weakness, but rather supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit

In some translations the word meek can either be gentle or humble. I look through Psalm 37 because this beatitude is most probably an allusion of verse 11

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. – Psalm 37:11

The theme of this chapter revolves around the wicked and the righteous while centering on the issue of who will inherit the land. Will the wicked, who plot against the righteous, who slay those whose ways are upright, who has wealth or the righteous, who are humble, blameless and upright.

But it doesn’t seem fair if the wicked will inherit their land. That’s why this chapter reassures the righteous, they do not need to feel alarmed when they feel they are being overpowered. They should just be calm and not out of control – they need to be meek. To trust in the Lord and do good where they are. To commit their way to the Lord and be still since He is in control. Because the wicked are like grass, they will soon wither and die away.

As I relate this to my life right now, I begun to think of the land I am in. Am I fretting with what is happening in my life and feeling tired of life again? As a single man, we would normally love to have what the world is showing us. A great job that pays for everything we want, from a car, house, branded clothes and electronics. A career where we are blooming and slowing raising up the career ladder. Or a relationship we will be proud about and feel loved with. But as I think about this verse, I begun to realize that I do not need to fret whether I do not have all of these things. As I trust God, be still and just do well where I am planted – to bloom in my work and ministry. I know someday, God will give me the desires of my heart. It may not necessarily be the “material” things or even a relationship. But just an inheritance in the land and peace that you are contented with where you are. To feel blessed because you know you have a great God with you and that is all you need.

May we find comfort in this verse and learn how to be meek. In that process that we do, may we inherit our land, find peace and be contented where we are.

Have you been able to control your desires, bringing it to Jesus’ feet and learning how to trust Him?